I was out of town for a bit last week. Upon returning to MSP on Friday, I saw a booth welcoming “U.S. Amateur Players.” I thought that sounded vaguely like golf. I hit the website and, yes, the 2006 U.S. Amateur is being held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska.

Question: Which state is the only one in the Union to host all 13 USGA championships, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the USGA State Team championships, a total of 17 events?

Answer: Minnesota, the home of Hazeltine National Golf Club, which will serve as the site for the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship Aug. 21-27.

In addition to being the site for the 2009 PGA Championship and the 2016 Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National G.C. will be hosting its eighth USGA championship, most of any club in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The state is hosting its 34th USGA event, seventh among the 50 states.

Who knew Minnesota was so popular with the golfers? The tournament runs Aug 21-27. The semifinals and championships will be on NBC next weekend. Or you can get tickets and watch it yourself (you were gonna skip work to play a around anyway).